Armistice Runner (Conkers)

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The chapter in the story which most stands out for me is how the different characters that like running and different sports show their emotions through running (this makes them try and fight harder to get what they want).

Parachutist like Private Emile Corteil who served in the Parachute Battalion with ‘Para Dog’ Glen and took part in the D-Day landings to Normandy on 6 June 1944 and is a character in my book D-Day Dog. (Thanks for the photo Toby Naidoo from Queensland Australia)

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smark Boateng, the player who I met and based my character Kofi Danquah on, is now on the books of Manchester City and is currently on loan in Norway). The only character that my son, Albie (aged 7 and in Year 3) wanted to dress up as on World Book Day was Jake Oldfield from Boys United. I was happy to customize a shirt for him, and he couldn’t have been prouder as he went through the school gates this morning.” Emma More footballers in my books: Bismark Boateng

Armistice Runner is a wonderful story to use in the classroom to explore the history of World War 1. The narrative is compelling and perfectly pitched to bring the big themes of war to young readers without being either too frightening or too reductive. By linking the historical aspect of the story to a modern day character in a familiar setting and emphasising the relatable, human aspects of one soldier’s experiences, Tom has skilfully crafted a way for young readers to connect with an event that could too easily seem a world away from them.” BOOK FOR TOPICS Armistice Runner display at Eldon Grove Academy – Fantastic work! I think it was interesting because when I did WW2 and WW1 in Year 6, we focused on Anne Frank, Winston Churchill, and Adolf Hitler who are all quite famous so it was really interesting to read it from a normal person’s point of view and what happened to them. Just read the first chapter of your story with two Year 9 boys, it has captured their imagination and they can’t wait until the next installment!” North Durham Academy 3.5 Over the Line Extras It’s utterly compelling – a pacy tribute to the athleticism and bravery of men such as Ernest Dalzell, fell-runner extraordinaire and soldier. With its themes of loyalty, competitiveness, heartbreak and endurance, Armistice Runner is full of authentic emotion. I love how Lily learns that she shares her fitness, speed and eye for navigation over tough terrain with her great-greatgrandfather. A connection that gives her an edge of fortitude when she most needs it … Armistice Runner will enhance readers’ understanding of the tragedy of war – and I hope, too, it inspires some to lace up their studs and head out into the fells.” Emma Hargreave Remembrance Day 2023I’ve always enjoyed writing most about what I am obsessed with. Hence the football and rugby books. But the reason I don’t end up watching live football and rugby like I used to is to do with another sport altogether. Tom Palmer doesn’t usually make me cry … But this one, Armistice Runner, was something else. Even if you’ve read countless other WWI stories … this has something that belongs only to this book. It’s very good and sad. But also inspiring” BOOKWITCH, BLOG Tom has created a range of resources for schools to use to help children understand the significance of this November’s centenary of the end of the First World War. This is a thoughtful book and ideal for introducing children to the history of the First World War and would be an excellent prompt for discussion on a wide range of topics including dementia, loyalty and forgiveness.” Alibrarylady.blog Five. A short non-fiction text explaining the Armistice in its First World War context. With a quiz based on the text.

This isn’t only a book about sports or war – it’s a just a great story, expertly told, and one that every child should have a chance to read” THAT BOY CAN TEACH, BLOG I really enjoyed how the book was written in a diary from Ernst and Lilly’s thoughts about the world as she was a very relatable protagonist. Armistice Runner is a wonderful story to use in the classroom to explore the history of World War 1. The narrative is compelling and perfectly pitched to bring the big themes of war to young readers without being either too frightening or too reductive. By linking the historical aspect of the story to a modern day character in a familiar setting and emphasising the relatable, human aspects of one soldier’s experiences, Tom has skilfully crafted a way for young readers to connect with an event that could too easily seem a world away from them.” BOOK FOR TOPICS 2.11 Armistice Runner facts …

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I really enjoyed this book by Tom Palmer. I found it very enjoyable and I learnt many interesting facts about life in World War One. My favourite character was Ernest, I found his thoughts and emotions very interesting and how people coped when losing loved ones. I’m not sure that there was anyone I didn’t particularly like but in the way the author has written the book I feel like a shadow has been cast over Abbie’s Dad (Abbie is a rival fell runner to Lily), he is made to be a bad person, therefore meaning that he is the ‘villain’ of the story. Or history fans could dress up as a soldier, pilot, or sailor or an Iron-age, Viking, Anglo-Saxon or Roman child from one of my other books. There’s lots of ideas below: Edda from Resist Elsie Cooper is young Edda / Audrey Hepburn from Resist (with permission) Ten national and local opportunities that schools in the UK can take to mark the Armistice centenary this November. https://tompalmer.co.uk/10-ways-schools-can-mark-the-armistice-centenary-this-autumn/

a Football Academy book – borrow one from your local library or print a picture of the cover off here A powerful intergenerational tale that honours the forgotten running heroes of November 11th 1918 and examines the devastating On a visit to her grandparents' in the Lakes, and in the run up to a very important race, Lily is given a box containing some of Ernest's things. In the box are some running logs which, Lily discovers, contain much more than just details of her great-great-grandfather's exercise regime: she discovers a commentary of Ernest's time in France and she's desperate to find out what happens. Powerfully poignant, this is a book not to be missed … If there is one WWI story you read this year to commemorate the centenary, let it be this one!” Scott Evans, The Reader Teacher & #PrimarySchoolBookClub I would recommend this book to anyone that likes stories with other stories hidden in them and also people that like emotional stories.

Whilst reading this book I didn’t just find out one new thing about World War One, it widened my whole knowledge about this key event in history. It was a real eye-opener to me because I really got a clear understanding of what it would have been like out on the front line, fighting for your country. I personally believe that the level of detail was what made it come to life even more for the reader. It really made me appreciate the sacrifices these young men made for the freedom we have today. Thanks for sharing this with us, Herbie. Lily and the fell runners from Armistice Runner “Lily” from Newlands School Read my short story Call of Duty about a famous footballer today having to go to war here. (This was written to accompany Over the Line– about a footballer volunteering to fight in the First World War. ) World War 1 School Archives are creating a centralised archive for schools to display and share their memories of the Great War.